Motor vehicle dashboard cross-member

Abstract

A motor vehicle instrument panel cross-member ( 1 ) includes a beam ( 2 ) extending substantially along a longitudinal direction and elements ( 4 ) for fixing the beam ( 2 ) on the vehicle structure including at least one plate ( 6 ) provided with a fixing orifice ( 8 ). The plate ( 6 ) is integral with the beam ( 2 ).

1. A method of manufacturing a cross-member ( 1 ) of a dashboard of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a metal strip; 
 creating at least one pair of holes in the metal strip; and 
 bending the metal strip after creating said one pair of holes so as to produce a hollow profile member comprising a beam ( 2 ) which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction and means ( 4 ) for fixing the beam ( 2 ) to the structure of the vehicle, 
 said fixing means comprising two plates ( 6 ), at least one plate ( 6 ) positioned transversely on one side and another plate ( 6 ) on the other of the beam, at least one of which is; 
 each plate ( 6 ) being one piece with the beam ( 2 ), 
 wherein in the plates ( 6 ), the metal strip is folded into two thicknesses which are separated by a layer of air having a thickness less than two times the thickness of the metal strip, and 
 wherein the holes of the at least one pair of holes are in alignment with each other after bending, the at least one fixing aperture ( 8 ) being formed by the holes in alignment. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal plates ( 6 ) each carry at least one fixing aperture ( 8 ). 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the at least one plate ( 6 ) extends substantially over the entire length of the beam ( 2 ). 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of welding the bended metal strip to itself such that the hollow profile member is closed along at least a part of its longitudinal length. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the metal strip is butt-welded over the entire longitudinal length of the cross-member ( 1 ). 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the at least one plate ( 6 ), the two thicknesses of the metal strip are welded to each other over the entire longitudinal length of the cross-member ( 1 ). 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the butt-weld extends along the beam ( 2 ). 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the metal strip has a thickness which varies longitudinally over the cross-member ( 1 ). 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of hydroforming or injection of metal. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the beam ( 2 ) has a trapezoidal cross-section. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cross-member has a hat-like cross-section and has a first large face ( 26 ) which is substantially planar and a second large face ( 28 ) which is opposite the first face and at which the beam ( 2 ) projects. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the beam ( 2 ) has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-member ( 1 ) has a variable cross-section when the cross-member ( 1 ) is travelled along longitudinally. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-member ( 1 ) comprises at least two longitudinal portions (VII, IX, XI) having constant cross-sections which are different from each other. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the two longitudinal portions (VII, IX) of the cross-member ( 1 ) have cross-sections of different shapes. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the two longitudinal portions (IX, XI) of the cross-member ( 1 ) have cross-sections having different positions in a plane perpendicular relative to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 2 , wherein, in the at least one plate ( 6 ) extends substantially over the entire length of the beam ( 2 ). 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method comprises the further step of welding the bended metal strip to itself such that the hollow member is closed along at least a part of its longitudinal length.